Flexible extension for front clasps and steel stays



Nov. 30, 1926. I

A. H. BARLQW FLEXIBLE EXTENSION FOR FRONT CL ASPS AND STEEL STAYS Filed Match 10, 192s A/fmd/ZMW Jrwmibr Patented Nov. 3t), 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFEICE.

ALFRED H. BARLOW, or Los ANGELES, cnnrrortrrra, nssrenon roenonen H. BAnLow AND JOSEPH J. DESMONI), BOTH F COB-RY,

PENNSYLVANIA.

FLEXIBLE EXTENSION FOB FRONT CLASPS AND STEEL STAYS.

Application filed March 10, 19523. fieriel 1101624103.

My present'invention is a flexible extension for front clasps and other stays which are used in garments of the corset type and which are in themselves less flexible than the proposed extensions; and it is a special object of my invention to provide relatively very flexible extensions upon any or all such less flexible clasps or stays, which latter in any event are adapted to be flexed in but on plane. 7

It is thus an object of this invention to provide corsets or similar garments with front clasps or/and stays, or cooperating pairs of same, so that any desired intermediate portion bet-ween the top and the bottom of a corset may be adapted to be flexed in but one plane, i. e., backwards and forwards; whereas the upper and/or lower portion, or portions, of the corset or similar garment are adapted to be flexed either forward and backward, or at right angles thereto, or in any intermediate plane, and will thus conform to all the various normal movements of the human body.

It is a further object ofmy invention to provide individual front-clasps and/or stays or pairs of same so constructed or related or combined that any desired intermediate portion. or portions, between the ends, shall he flexible in but one plane, whereas any desired portion, or portions. at one or both ends thereof shall be flexible either forward and backward, or at right angles thereto, or in any intermediate plane.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an association of less flexible front clasps with stays of greater flexibility extending beyond either one or both ends of said front clasps; and it is also an object of my invention to provide an association of less flexible stays with stays of greater flexibility extending beyond either one or both ends of said less flexible stays, so that in either case such extending more flexible portions will flex in whatever plane is necessary to conform to all normal movements of the body.

It is a further object of my invention to utilize a pliable or flexible material, preferably wire, in providing the flexible extensions referred to, and to provide suitable means for supporting, attaching, or combining the mentioned extensions with the members of lesser and more limited flexibility with which they are associated, it being an important feature of my present invention that said flexible extensions diminish the danger that garment material will wear through at the ends thereof.

It is a further object of my invention to provide, by the employment of stays whose extensions are flexible not only flatwise but also edgewise, means permitting the front clasps or fastening means to be arranged otherwise than in a straight line.

Broadly, as will be apparent from the foregoing, the objects of my invention include the providing of a garment construction which shall at the same time give adequate support and increased freedom of movement, which shall be more comfortable and less liable to deterioration than are the corresponding garments of known construction, and which shall permit of novel features in garment design.

Other objects of my invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a detail view showing a stay construction employed at the back of a corset, the construction shown being such as to include flexible extensions at both the top and bottom thereof.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the lateral flexibility at the top of the front of a corset provided with my improvement.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate alternative modes of obtaining the desired flexibility in the extensions of corset stays.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing how the flexibility in the top portion of the front of a corset and in the lower portion of the back thereof, contribute to the comfort to the wearer,the portions referred to be ing adapted to be flexed either forward and backward, or at right angles thereto, or in any intermediate plane.

Fig. 7 is a detail view exaggerating the lateral bending of a flexible extension.

My present invention is suitable for use upon various garments, and it is especially suitable for use upon corsets and other garments of the corset type, including brassieres, confiners, and supporting belts.

Referring to the specific forms of my invention shown in the drawings, 1 is a back lacing section of'a corset, which may be of any usual or preferred construction, except as hereinafter mentioned. Adjacent to the lacing at the back of the corset, I prefer to provide two or more stays *2 which may be of steel, and which, in any event, need be flexible in but one plane. As shown, these stays 2 are supported by means such as tapes 3, extending to and secured by a stitching at at the top of the garment, so that the mentioned stays 2 remain suspended opposite the central portion of the back thereof. Superimposed upon, or otherwise coacting with the mentioned stays 2, flexible in but one plane, I prefer to provide upward extensions 5, or downward extensions 6, or both. These extensions may be provided by simply associating a long stay, flexible either forward and backward, or at right angles thereto, or in any intermediate plane, and prefer ably formed of wire as shown at 7, with a shorter steel stay 2, or the equivalent, as shown in Fig. 3; the mentioned extension being preferably supported by means of the tape or strip of fabric 8 extending to the same stitching 4. Alternatively, an extension 7 formed of wire may be secured upon a stay of steel or the like by the employ ment of a sleeve 9, as shown in Fig. 4; or an extension 7 may be similarly secured by means of rivets 10, as shown in Fig. 5.

The lateral flexibility of the construction which I prefer to employ at the front of a corset, (my flexible extensions being in this case associated with the elements of a front clasp) is best shown in Figs. 2, 8 and 7.

From. an inspection of Fig. 2 it will be understood that the adjacent front edges of a corset of my improved construction are preferably provided with front elasps of a novel construction comprising steel stays or the equivalent in the central section thereof, and flexible extensions at the top, or at the bottom, or at both top and bot-tom. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, engaging elements, optionally in the form of studs 11 and eyelets 12, may be provided upon the stiffer central section C, and hooks 13 engaging eyes 14 may be associated with the flexible extensions therefrom, the desired lateral flexibility being assured by suspending a stay 7, formed of wire, by means such as the tape or fabric strip 15, this tape or strip being preferably inserted between the Wires of a stay and secured by the stitching 16 at the top of the garment.

Although I have mentioned various alternative constructions, it will be understood that various additional modifications of my invention might be possible without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and also that various features thereof might be independently employed.

hat is claimed is:

In a garment of the corset type, the combination of a pocket, a stay in said pocket flexible in all directions, a tape suspending the said stay from the upper end of the pocket, a second and shorter stay than the first named stay flexible in one plane only, a tape suspending said stay in the pocket, the top of the second stay being positioned below the top of the first mentioned stay, the stays being parallel and adjacent each other.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALFRED H. BARLOVV. 

